Lofting

Loft

A loft blends multiple profiles with varying shapes on separate planes to create complex models. Lofts are used to extrude shapes with compound curves. This process can be controlled by establishing two or more cross sections when creating parts with blended surfaces and when transitioning between two existing surfaces that have different cross sections. This tutorial will provide the process of creating simple lofts.

Lofting

Open file exercise Lofting Part

A rectangle and a circle have been drawn and dimensioned below on offset work planes. Rotate the view so that it looks like the one shown below. Don't worry if the dimensions appear in different locations from what is shown here.

Choose The loft tool in ribbon.

Curves Tab:

The Sections column in the left side of the dialog box will display the sketches that have been selected as part of the loft. Each cross section is selected in turn. An arrow will point from one section to the other in the direction that they have been chosen. The order of the loft can be reversed by clicking on one of the sections listed in this box and dragging it either above or below the other selections.

Completing the Loft:

Click first on the circle, and then on the rectangle. The arrows will appear as shown, indicating the direction the loft will transition. All other settings will remain unchanged.

Click OK to complete the loft.

Turn off the visibility on any planes that you see. (Reminder: Right-click on each one in the browser and uncheck Visibility.)

Save as "Lofting"

Lofting using offset planes

Begin a new part file.

Use the Polygon Tool to draw a hexagon with .5-inch sides.

Create an offset Work Plane a distance of –2.00 inches from the original sketch.

Note:

If you are having difficulty creating an offset work plane, select create a 2D Sketch and drag the plane with your drawing towards or away.

Draw a circle with a diameter of .5 inches as shown below. in the center of the hexagon

Select Finish Sketch to take you to your Isometric

Select Finish Sketch.

Choose from the Features Tool bar. Click on the hexagon as the first sketch section, and then just the circle for the second sketch section as shown below.

Click OK to complete the loft.

Turn off the visibility of the XY plane and of Work Plane 1 in the Browser

Save as "Lofting Hex"

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